Settled science...

Arctic 'tipping point' may not be reached.  The article's subheading reads:  "Scientists say current concerns over a tipping point in the disappearance of Arctic sea ice may be misplaced."

Here's the technical abstract in Science.

Al Gore, call your office.

Images of the cryosphere...

in a photogallery at Wired.com: Earth's Icy Extremes Seen From Space.

Videos taken in the Arctic...

last summer by a passenger on a Zegrahm expedition to Norway and Spitsbergen:

• Svalbard Polar Bear and Fox

• Svalbard Walrus

Thanks, SN, for sharing! I don't think National Geographic could have done any better.

What I'm reading...

right now: The Arctic Grail by Pierre Berton. This tome is a historical recount of the period 1818-1909 during the quest for the elusive North West Passage through the Arctic Ocean.

The book is a gift from colleague RQ who attended my Sigma Xi talk last month about my travels above the Arctic Circle and who shares a similar interest in the polar north. Thanks, Bob!

"Norwegian Fjords to Spitsbergen"...

photo-journal that documents my travels with Zegrahm Expeditions above the Arctic Circle this last summer is now on-line (the link takes you to a 2.54 MB .pdf file). About a third of the images featured in this book that was provided to passengers on the voyage were taken by your humble correspondent.

Take a look, people who like to take looks.

The Arctic Circle...

was crossed, approximately 66° 33′ 39″ (or 66.56083°) north latitude, at about 2 am this morning as we proceed northward on our voyage. Here's a link to more information about this significant geographic demarcation. Ahoy, we have arrived in the land of the midnight sun!

Northward bound...

for the next several weeks, traveling first to Bergen, Norway, then across the Arctic Circle and ultimately to the Svalbard archipelago following the route depicted on the map. In geology-speak I'm leaving the North American plate, crossing a divergent boundary just east of Greenland (the Mohns ridge, an ultra-low spreading rate mid-ocean ridge), and landing on the Eurasian plate.

Why? Well, I have the very good fortune of being retained as a geologist lecturer/guide for an adventure travel company - Zegrahm Expeditions - and this is my very first gig with them: Norwegian Fjords to Spitsbergen.

It is my intent to upload a post every day (or so) during the voyage depending on the quality of the Internet connection from the ship. I hope to share a picture of something wonderful we encounter each day, and include a short story about the adventurous experience.

Welcome aboard, at least vicariously, for the journey.

Svalbard geology...

summarized here, here and here.

Yeah, this is what I'm reviewing this busy weekend, in addition to organizing and packing my field gear.

Approach calving glaciers...

in the fjords of Svalbard (Spitsbergen) with caution advises this technical paper published by the Norwegian Polar Institute. The first sentence of the article states:

"In 2007 a tourist ship came too close to an actively calving glacier in the Hornsund area of Svalbard. Calving ice blocks fell on the boat's deck, injuring a number of the tourists onboard."

The conclusion recommends a 200 m safe minimum distance to "avoid direct hits and large waves." Seems like common sense to me.

Hat tip: MM, the expedition leader for this trip to Svalbard that I will join as a geologist guide shortly after spring quarter ends.

Update on Arctic sea ice extent...

this first day of May from the National Snow and Ice Data Center. This graph updates on a daily basis (click to enlarge.) By any measure the recovery of the Arctic ice pack is extraordinary, yet the media have yet to tell this story. Hmm.

UPDATE: The same trend of rapidly growing ice mass is also true in Antarctica as this graph shows:No story here folks. Keep moving along.

One year ago today...

scientists at the Snow and Ice Data Center predicted an ice free Arctic by summer 2008. Contrast that with the fact that, at present, we have returned to the average level of Arctic ice measured between 1979-2000.

Arctic sea ice extent...

is rapidly approaching the 1979-2000 average (click to enlarge) according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Something to celebrate on Earth Day, but I doubt this news will get much media attention.

Contrast the data (above) with this article published today that portrays runaway Arctic melting. Blatantly misleading and unprofessional journalism.

Note: The graph embedded above automatically updates on a daily basis.

What I'm reading...

right now:

True North: Peary, Cook and the Race to the Pole by Bruce Henderson.

Yes, it's another look at the Arctic in preparation of my travels there later this year. It's full of personal struggle, high adventure and professional hatred - a high latitude drama.

Mush!

My biggest fear is...

that I'm going to forget my gloves when I travel to the Arctic later this year. Not global warming. Not super-eruptions. Not rocks falling from space.

Someone be sure to remind me, please.

What I'm reading...

right now:

The Arctic: A History by Richard Vaughan

Good, very detailed account of the Arctic from its earliest occupation to more modern exploration and scientific investigations. Surprisingly, it lacks a good account of the under-ice explorations at and near the North Pole by US, British and Soviet/Russian submarines.

Best read with a steaming hot cup of tea or java.